Shankar Dayal Sharma
Encyclopedia
Shankar Dayal Sharma (19 August 1918 - 26 December 1999) was the ninth President of India
serving from 1992 to 1997. Prior to his presidency, Dr Sharma had been the eighth Vice President of India, serving under President Ramaswamy Venkataraman. He was also Chief Minister (1952–1956), and Cabinet Minister (1956–1967), holding the portfolios of Education, Law, Public Works, Industry and Commerce, National Resources and Separate Revenue. He was the President of the Indian National Congress
in 1972-1974 and returned to government as Union Minister for Communications from 1974 to 1977.
The International Bar Association presented Dr. Sharma with the 'Living Legends of Law Award of Recognition' for his outstanding contribution to the legal profession internationally and for commitment to the rule of law
.
Dr. Sharma was born in Bhopal, then the capital of the princely state
of Bhopal.
, Punjab University, Lucknow University and Fitzwilliam College at Cambridge University. He obtained his Ph.D. in Law at Cambridge. Dr. Sharma was awarded the Chakravarti Gold Medal for Social Service by Lucknow University.
Dr. Sharma taught Law at Lucknow University and at Cambridge University. While at Cambridge, Dr. Sharma was Treasurer of the Tagore Society and the Cambridge Majlis. He taught law at Cambridge University from 1946 to 1947. The University of Cambridge has honoured him with a Doctor of Law degree.
Dr. Sharma was from the capital city of the state of Madhya Pradesh
"Bhopal". Dr. Sharmas first wife passed away in MP. She had one son Satish Dayal Sharma. Later Dr Sharma was married to Smt. Vimala Sharma who had one son named Ashutosh Dayal Sharma and a daughter.
and served in that position until the state reorganization of 1956, when Bhopal state merged with several other states to form the state of Madhya Pradesh.
's quest for leadership of the Congress Party. He served in her cabinet as the minister for Communication from 1974-77. In 1971 and 1980 he won a Lok Sabha
seat from Bhopal
. Later on, he was given a variety of ceremonial posts. In 1984 he began serving as a governor
of Indian states, first in Andhra Pradesh
. During this time, his daughter Geetanjali Maken and son-in-law: Lalit Maken young member of parliament and a promising political leader,were killed by Sikh
militants.In 1985 he left Andhra Pradesh and became governor of Punjab
during a time of violence between the Indian government and Sikh militants, many of whom lived in Punjab. He left Punjab in 1986 and took up his final governorship in Maharashtra
. He remained governor of that state until 1987 when he was elected for a 5-year term as the eighth Vice-President of India
and chairman of the Rajya Sabha
.
Sharma was known to be a stickler for parliamentary norms. He is known to have broken down in the Rajya Sabha while witnessing the members of the house create a din on a political issue. His grief brought back some order into the proceedings of the house.
.
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President of India
The President of India is the head of state and first citizen of India, as well as the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces. President of India is also the formal head of all the three branches of Indian Democracy - Legislature, Executive and Judiciary...
serving from 1992 to 1997. Prior to his presidency, Dr Sharma had been the eighth Vice President of India, serving under President Ramaswamy Venkataraman. He was also Chief Minister (1952–1956), and Cabinet Minister (1956–1967), holding the portfolios of Education, Law, Public Works, Industry and Commerce, National Resources and Separate Revenue. He was the President of the Indian National Congress
Indian National Congress
The Indian National Congress is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is the largest and one of the oldest democratic political parties in the world. The party's modern liberal platform is largely considered center-left in the Indian...
in 1972-1974 and returned to government as Union Minister for Communications from 1974 to 1977.
The International Bar Association presented Dr. Sharma with the 'Living Legends of Law Award of Recognition' for his outstanding contribution to the legal profession internationally and for commitment to the rule of law
Rule of law
The rule of law, sometimes called supremacy of law, is a legal maxim that says that governmental decisions should be made by applying known principles or laws with minimal discretion in their application...
.
Dr. Sharma was born in Bhopal, then the capital of the princely state
Princely state
A Princely State was a nominally sovereign entitity of British rule in India that was not directly governed by the British, but rather by an Indian ruler under a form of indirect rule such as suzerainty or paramountcy.-British relationship with the Princely States:India under the British Raj ...
of Bhopal.
Education and early life
Dr. Sharma received his education at St. John's College, Agra CollegeAgra College
Agra College is one of the oldest institutions in India. Pandit Gangadhar Shastri, a noted Sanskrit Scholar founded the college in 1823. Till 1883 the institute was a government college and after that a Board of Trustees and a Committee of Management managed the college...
, Punjab University, Lucknow University and Fitzwilliam College at Cambridge University. He obtained his Ph.D. in Law at Cambridge. Dr. Sharma was awarded the Chakravarti Gold Medal for Social Service by Lucknow University.
Dr. Sharma taught Law at Lucknow University and at Cambridge University. While at Cambridge, Dr. Sharma was Treasurer of the Tagore Society and the Cambridge Majlis. He taught law at Cambridge University from 1946 to 1947. The University of Cambridge has honoured him with a Doctor of Law degree.
Dr. Sharma was from the capital city of the state of Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh , often called the Heart of India, is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal and Indore is the largest city....
"Bhopal". Dr. Sharmas first wife passed away in MP. She had one son Satish Dayal Sharma. Later Dr Sharma was married to Smt. Vimala Sharma who had one son named Ashutosh Dayal Sharma and a daughter.
Political initiation
During the 1940s he was involved in the struggle for Indian independence from the British, and joined the Indian National Congress, a party which he would remain loyal to for the rest of his life. In 1952 he became the chief minister of the Bhopal stateBhopal State (1949-1956)
Bhopal was the name of state of India, which existed from 1949 to 1956. The state evolved out of the princely state of Bhopal, and was merged with neighboring states to form Madhya Pradesh in 1956. Shankar Dayal Sharma served as chief minister of Bhopal state from 1952 to 1956.- History :Before the...
and served in that position until the state reorganization of 1956, when Bhopal state merged with several other states to form the state of Madhya Pradesh.
Active political life
During the 1960s Sharma supported Indira GandhiIndira Gandhi
Indira Priyadarshini Gandhara was an Indian politician who served as the third Prime Minister of India for three consecutive terms and a fourth term . She was assassinated by Sikh extremists...
's quest for leadership of the Congress Party. He served in her cabinet as the minister for Communication from 1974-77. In 1971 and 1980 he won a Lok Sabha
Lok Sabha
The Lok Sabha or House of the People is the lower house of the Parliament of India. Members of the Lok Sabha are elected by direct election under universal adult suffrage. As of 2009, there have been fifteen Lok Sabhas elected by the people of India...
seat from Bhopal
Bhopal (Lok Sabha constituency)
Bhopal Lok Sabha constituency is one of the 29 Lok Sabha constituencies in Madhya Pradesh state in central India. This constituency presently covers the entire Bhopal district and part of Sehore district.-Assembly segments:...
. Later on, he was given a variety of ceremonial posts. In 1984 he began serving as a governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
of Indian states, first in Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
. During this time, his daughter Geetanjali Maken and son-in-law: Lalit Maken young member of parliament and a promising political leader,were killed by Sikh
Sikhism
Sikhism is a monotheistic religion founded during the 15th century in the Punjab region, by Guru Nanak Dev and continued to progress with ten successive Sikh Gurus . It is the fifth-largest organized religion in the world and one of the fastest-growing...
militants.In 1985 he left Andhra Pradesh and became governor of Punjab
Punjab (India)
Punjab ) is a state in the northwest of the Republic of India, forming part of the larger Punjab region. The state is bordered by the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh to the east, Haryana to the south and southeast and Rajasthan to the southwest as well as the Pakistani province of Punjab to the...
during a time of violence between the Indian government and Sikh militants, many of whom lived in Punjab. He left Punjab in 1986 and took up his final governorship in Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
. He remained governor of that state until 1987 when he was elected for a 5-year term as the eighth Vice-President of India
Vice-President of India
The Vice-President of India is the second-highest ranking government official in the executive branch of the Government of India, after the President...
and chairman of the Rajya Sabha
Rajya Sabha
The Rajya Sabha or Council of States is the upper house of the Parliament of India. Rajya means "state," and Sabha means "assembly hall" in Sanskrit. Membership is limited to 250 members, 12 of whom are chosen by the President of India for their expertise in specific fields of art, literature,...
.
Sharma was known to be a stickler for parliamentary norms. He is known to have broken down in the Rajya Sabha while witnessing the members of the house create a din on a political issue. His grief brought back some order into the proceedings of the house.
Presidential election
Sharma served as Vice-President until 1992, when he was elected President. After a difficult campaign, he received 66% of the votes in the electoral college, defeating George Gilbert Swell. During his five-year term, he was active in ceremonial matters and was in charge of dismissing and appointing governors. During his last year as President, it was his responsibility to swear in three prime ministers. He did not run for a second term as President.Illness and death
During the last five years of his life, Sharma suffered from ill health. On 26 December 1999, he suffered a massive heart attack and was admitted to a hospital in New Delhi, where he died. He was cremated at Karma BhumiRaj Ghat and associated memorials
Raj Ghat is a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. Originally it was the name of a historic ghat of Old Delhi on the banks of Yamuna river. Close to it, and east of Daryaganj was “Raj Ghat Gate” of the walled city, opening at Raj Ghat on Yamuna River. Later the memorial area was also called Raj ghat...
.
External links
- Bio details (not updated) from Congress Sandesh at http://www.congresssandesh.com/AICC/pastpresidents.htm accessed 26 July 2006
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